Chaos erupted in the Serbian Parliament as opposition MPs hurled smoke grenades and tear gas at government lawmakers during a heated session. Amid the turmoil, one MP suffered a stroke. Serbia has been witnessing massive protests for four months, with students leading the movement, later joined by farmers and laborers. The unrest intensified following the collapse of a railway station roof last year, which killed 15 people. The tragedy led to widespread allegations of government corruption, forcing Prime Minister Milos Vukevic to resign. However, the protests continue, putting President Aleksandar Vucic’s decade-long rule under serious threat.

Following a four-day visit to Bangladesh, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi emphasized the need for sustained support for over one million Rohingya refugees. He praised Bangladesh and its people for their exceptional generosity in hosting the displaced population. Grandi highlighted that the primary solution to the crisis lies in ensuring a dignified, voluntary, safe, and sustainable return of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar. During his visit to the camps, he urged the international community to provide long-term financial assistance.

Mawlana Yunus Ahmed, Secretary General of Islami Andolon Bangladesh, dismissed the recent debate on smoking as irrelevant. He stressed that while personal freedom is important, social capital, culture, and traditions must also be respected. Ahmed pointed out that public smoking by women has no historical precedent in Bangladesh and remains legally prohibited. However, he also opposed moral policing in an unregulated manner. He urged for national unity and focus on rebuilding the country instead of engaging in divisive debates.

When asked about the demand by student-led Nagorik Party for simultaneous national and Constituent Assembly elections, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Nasir Uddin stated that the commission is preparing for national elections based on the Chief Adviser’s announcement. He emphasized that the EC would not engage in political debates and is following the announced timeline, targeting elections in December or early January. The final decision will be based on consensus within the commission.

Nahid Islam, Convener of the National Congress Party (NCP), has proposed that national elections and Constituent Assembly elections be held simultaneously. He believes this would facilitate the formation of a new governance structure and help build a new Bangladesh. He further stated that the Constituent Assembly election could help transition to a truly democratic constitution. After paying homage at the National Martyrs’ Memorial, Nahid emphasized that a new Bangladesh cannot be built under the existing constitution and governance framework.

The BNP high command has issued show-cause notices to four leaders from BNP, Jubo Dal, and Chhatra Dal for allegedly engaging in inappropriate and aggressive behavior toward Jamaat-e-Islami leaders at the Sujanagar Upazila TNO office in Pabna. Additionally, Shahidul Haque Shahid, General Secretary of Ward 38 BNP under Wari Thana, Dhaka South, has been served a show-cause notice following an altercation with students of Jagannath University in Dholaikhal on Monday night.

In response to Nagorik Party leader Sarjis Alam’s statement, ‘No elections before Sheikh Hasina’s trial,’ BNP leader Mirza Abbas asserted that the public will not accept any excuses for delaying national elections. He pointed out that elections will continue beyond this one and that forming a new party does not guarantee an easy path to power. Abbas stressed that BNP did not achieve its position overnight and that establishing a political party takes time. He also warned against foreign and domestic conspiracies that could harm the country by prolonging the election process.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated that his party aims to establish the rule of Islam, not political power. He emphasized that Jamaat is dedicated to the victory of the Quran. Highlighting the importance of a zakat-based social system, he remarked that instead of providing mere essentials like clothes or food, zakat should be distributed in a way that empowers individuals to become self-reliant. He also underscored the significance of fasting in shaping a disciplined society.

Residents of Collegepara in Brahmanbaria were horrified when blood started flowing from their water taps. Upon investigation, police discovered a decomposed body of an unidentified young man inside the water tank of a residential building. Locals stated that the deceased was not from the area. Superintendent of Police Obaidur Rahman confirmed that the body was recovered and sent to the district hospital morgue for autopsy. Authorities suspect that the victim was murdered and the body was dumped in the tank. Efforts are ongoing to identify the deceased.

The names of seven government primary schools in Lalmohan and Tajumuddin upazilas of Bhola have been changed. This is part of a nationwide renaming initiative affecting 29 schools, many of which were previously named after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s family members and prominent Awami League figures. Acting Upazila Education Officer Indrajit Debnath confirmed that a formal notification has been received, and headteachers have been instructed to update the school signboards accordingly.

Adviser Sakhawat Hossain assured that there is no shortage in the supply of essential commodities, as imports have been made in sufficient quantities. He warned that any importer failing to collect goods from the port within the stipulated time will face a fine three times the normal rate. While acknowledging some issues with the edible oil market, he noted that vegetable prices have remained stable. Additionally, in a humanitarian gesture, compensation checks were handed over to the families of six workers who died in the MV Al-Bakhera fertilizer-laden vessel accident in the Meghna River last December. The Workers’ Welfare Foundation provided BDT 200,000 per family, while Noapara Group contributed BDT 300,000 per family.

At a press conference held at the Commission of Inquiry on Disappearances on Tuesday afternoon, Chairman Moinul Islam Chowdhury stated that law enforcement personnel involved in disappearances bear individual criminal responsibility, but this does not extend to the entire force. He emphasized that criminals often try to evade the law by hiding behind their religion, community, or social group. However, criminal offenses are always a matter of personal liability, and blaming an entire agency is not justified. He added that proper legal proceedings would enhance the reputation of law enforcement agencies.

U.S. President Donald Trump recently claimed that USAID had allocated $29 million to organizations run by two individuals to strengthen Bangladesh’s political landscape. In response, the interim government of Bangladesh dismissed Trump’s remarks as false. However, Foreign Affairs Adviser Towhid Hossain stated that this would not negatively impact relations between Dhaka and Washington. Addressing the misinformation, he clarified, “This is not an incitement; it is simply a baseless statement. Trump did not specify which organization in Bangladesh received the funds, nor do we know which two individuals he was referring to. Therefore, we do not see any reason to escalate this issue further.”

The names of martyrs from the July-August Revolution in the Sylhet Division have been included in the 2025 diary published by Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST). The names appear on pages 118 to 120, listing a total of 33 martyrs from three districts of Sylhet. Faculty members and students of the university have welcomed this initiative, viewing it as a positive step towards preserving history. They believe that documenting the names of these martyrs will help future generations become more aware of the July-August Revolution and inspire them to uphold democratic values.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, will present a report in Geneva on Wednesday detailing human rights violations and abuses linked to the July-August 2024 protests in Bangladesh. Representatives from Bangladesh’s interim government and civil society will participate in the session. On Monday, Türk expressed hope that the report, based on independent investigations, would provide an accurate and objective portrayal of the situation, promoting accountability, reparations, and necessary reforms.